35 Dead in Moscow Airport Suicide Bombing

At least 35 were killed in a suicide terror bombing at the Moscow Airport on Monday. Warning: graphic video.

By Chana Ya'ar

First Publish: 1/24/2011, 5:26 PM / Last Update: 1/24/2011, 9:38 PM

Airport authorities said at least 35 were killed and some 130 were wounded in a terrorist suicide bombing Monday afternoon at Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow. News agencies reported that 20 of the wounded were critically injured as the death toll continued to rise Monday evening.

The bomber struck in the international baggage claim area of Domodedovo Airport, Russia's largest and busiest airport, at about 4:32 p.m. local time, according to numerous media reports.

Israel immediately temporarily halted flights from Tel Aviv to Moscow following the attack.

The Interfax news agency reported that the blast was equivalent to approximately 15 pounds (7 kg) of TNT. More than 50 ambulances arrived to transport victims from the site, emergency workers told the news agency.

Reports of more than one bomber are being investigated, and some international flights have been delayed indefinitely, according to the airport website. Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Shiye Deitsch, who led a team of first responders to the arrivals hall, told Chabad.org that it was too soon to identify the victims, but that it did not appear that any Jews were among the casualties.

Security is being tightened at other airports in the Russian capital, and the main airport terminal is being evacuated as K-9 and other units are being deployed to perform a security sweep through the building.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev vowed to "track down and punish" those responsible for the attack. He ordered all transportation hubs in the country on to high alert Monday in a statement broadcast on Russian television. The order affects all airport and train stations.